Friday, January 31, 2014

I had a sub yesterday because I've been feeling under the weather for quite a while -- to the point where it was worth taking the time to get a sub (those of you who teach will know that it is harder to get a sub than it is to just come in and teach the lesson). Today felt like it needed layers, so I went with these plaid pants, chambray and cashmere. Speaking of blingy bees, I had just raved about these little bee earrings here -- well, today when I went to put them on, the little ruby jewel was gone from one of them. Luckily I found it and was able to repair it using super glue -- what in the world did people ever do before that handy little item was invented? Anyway, it feels like I've been super gluing a lot of my jewelry lately -- probably a sign that I need to stop buying so much costume jewelry.
Heritage Festive Plaid Pants in Indigo/Green, Talbots; Calvin Klein Chambray Shirt, Macy's; Crew Neck Cashmere Sweater, Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots and J. Crew Factory.

January 2014 Purchases

I know, I know, my goal was to only buy one thing a month and keep it under $50, if at all, but . . . .
Okay, so I got eleven items instead of one. I did only spend $80. But . . .  I really couldn't waste a $45 Eddie Bauer rewards card, I've always been tempted by that ruffle skirt, I couldn't pass on the scarf for $2.61, I really loved the necklace/earrings when I first saw them at Talbots, and one of the Talbots shirts was free, and the other was just $13. Finally, I know I’ve sworn off Chicos as the ladies at the local Chicos are as scary as Leslie’s library ladies in Parks and Recreation, but when they give you a $50 gift certificate, you have to do something with it, right?  Gee. I'm my own worst enabler.

Edit: At the last minute I added the J. Crew Garnet Flame Plaid Shirt, NWT on eBay for $20 shipped. I still had $20 dollars left in my monthly shopping budget, and I just couldn't resist it. I know, I am weak.

So...my ending total was 12 items for $100.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

I work a 70% contract, and I used to work in the afternoon. My first class wasn't until noon, but I worked until 4 PM. Now my schedule is almost the opposite. My first class is at 8:15 AM, and I'm generally done at noon or a little after (sometimes at 11 AM!). I don't usually have time to snap a picture first thing in the morning. Today I decided to try it because I was going to be so rushed in the afternoon due to my night class. To make a long story short, that's why the lighting is a little funky in this shot.
Autumn Cashmere Cardigan Sweater, Talbots; Ruffle Back Flannel Skirt in Cocoa; Talbots; Hue Ribbed Tights in Cocoa, Macy's; Jewelry, Ily Couture and Chicos.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I hadn't worn this lovely little buffalo plaid skirt yet this year. As it is a fuzzy blanket fabric, it really has to be worn when the temps are low. So far, January is obliging nicely. I added a jewel trimmed sweater and ribbed tights. You can't see them very well due to the lack of good natural light in my hall, but I'm also wearing a pair of what we used to call "granny boots" I've had this flat lace up boots for almost 15 years, and I'm glad to see that they're back in style. Mine just needed a quick coat of polish to put them back in service -- and an added plus is that I can wear my orthotic inserts with them. Next time I'll add a cute pair of boot socks if I can fit all that in there...
Buffalo Plaid Skirt in Gray, Talbots; Ribbed Hue Tights in Dark Gray, Macy's; Jewel Embellished Sweater in Heather Gray, Talbots; Jewelry, Banana Republic and Chicos.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Today I am wearing flannel with corduroy. What could be more cozy than that? I thought I had missed out on this garnet flame shirt, but then I found one for a very reasonable price on eBay. It did not disappoint -- it's very cute in real life. I wore a navy belt with the pants that didn't make it into the picture.
I need to be comfortable because the next few days of teaching will be hectic -- no aid until they hire a new one, and state testing to boot.
Boyfriend Cords in Dark Berry, Eddie Bauer, Garnet Flame Plaid Shirt; J. Crew via eBay; Jewelry, Chicos.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Today I am using the polyvore to the right as an inspiration. I got a ton of compliments on this look, and it was fun to wear, which is always a big plus.
Halogen Pencil Skirt in Turquoise, Nordstroms; Polka Dot Popover in Ivory, J. Crew Factory; Tweed Jacket in Pink, Talbots; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's; Jewelry, J. Crew and Macy's.
And...this has really been a lucky week here at our house (except for my husband getting laid off, but...if he gets another job right away, that will turn out to be pretty lucky, too, as he was considering quitting last year, but now he will get severance). I actually won Gigi's blog giveaway over at Gigi's Gone Shopping, AND...I found the wedding ring that I lost about two years ago. Somehow it was up on the top shelf of my closet, pushed all the way to the back. I was doing some January cleaning, so I was up there with a ladder, and I moved some boxes and saw this sparkler there. I am absolutely baffled as to how it got there, but, hey, I'm glad to have it back. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet, because the BHW has since replaced it with another ring.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Today is Friday, Friday. I'm going with plaid pants and a cashmere sweater. I have just a bit of floral shirt sticking out just to give it some oomph (if plaid pants don't give it oomph already).
Heritage Festival Plaid Pants in Indigo Blue/Green, Talbots; Floral Button-Up, Talbots; V-Neck Cashmere Sweater in Indigo Blue; Talbots, Jewelry Talbots.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

This had to be the quickest of shots, as someone was ringing my doorbell just as I took it. I'm basing my outfit on the inspiration shot on the right. I added a matching tank for the extra coverage I need on my shoulders.
Keaton Plaid Pants; Talbots; Colorblock Boatneck Top, J. Crew; Secret Silk Tank in Daiquiri, Chicos; Genuine Coral Jewelry, Talbots.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Today I wore this pairing of black, white and green. I picked up this plaid jacket for a song on eBay last year, and it is very cute. These pants don't photograph well for me, but they are more green than they appear in the picture. I added some very vintage jewelry to finish the look.
Green Ankle Jeans; Talbots; Black Tee, Talbots; Plaid Jacket, Talbots; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Today I decided to go with the tried and true pairing of black, white and yellow. These pants, although they appear gray, are actually a black and white glen plaid. I added the cutesy little zebra bracelet just for fun.
Glen Plaid Ankle Pants with Faux Leather Trim, Talbots; Baby Cable Sweater in English Mustard, Talbots; Zebra Stripe Scarf, Chicos; Jewelry, Coldwater Creek and Chicos.

On Anniversaries...

I've been blogging here for about three years (785 posts!), but Gigi over at Gigi's Gone Shopping has me beat -- she's having her five year five month blog anniversary. She's got a great giveaway going on over there as well -- check her out.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

If I look a little rough here, it's because today was a difficult day emotionally. I gave a talk today in church, and the subject was a very tender one. Anyway -- I did like how this sweater paired with this older Talbots skirt. This color of blue is the color of the year for 2014.
Amelie Skirt in Blue, Talbots; Hue Tights in Gray, Macy's; Charley Merino Sweater in Brilliant Cobalt; J. Crew Factory; Jewelry, J. Crew and Talbots.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

I spent most of the day lounging in sweatpants, but I did dress up in this outfit with my cobalt blue jeans to go and see BYU's Vocalpoint in concert. Mike and Alison went with us, and we had a very good time. Vocalpoint is an acapella men's chorus most recently seen on TV on the singing show The Voice.

Friday, January 17, 2014

 It's Friday and the beginning of a long weekend, due to MLK day. So...time to really get comfortable. I went with a cashmere sweater, comfy beyond belief jeans, loafers and a soft scarf.
Cashmere Crewneck in Maraschino Cherry, Talbots; Plaid Scarf, Coldwater Creek; Denim Stretch Jeans, Coldwater Creek; Jewelry, Shopko.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

I do love me some blue and green together, so when I saw this kelly green tee with blue polka dots, I had to pick it up. As usual, this Talbots tee did not disappoint. J. Crew could take some lessons from them in making nice tee-shirts.
Polka Dot Tee in Kelly Green/Navy, Talbots; Baby Cable Cardigan in Navy, Talbots; Platinum Denim Jeans in Gray; Jewelry, J. Crew Factory and Banana Republic.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

You know how Wednesday is hump day? Well, now that I am taking a night class for three hours every Wednesday, I really feel the hump. Once I get through that class, I almost feel like the weekend is here already...
After feeling rather insipid about my wardrobe choice yesterday, I decided to get back to what really feels fun and wear this outfit inspired by this polyvore to the left. I really loved the mint with this tresco floral shirt. Ba-ba-bling!
Mint Skirt, J. Crew Factory; Tresco Floral Liberty Perfect Shirt, J. Crew; Light Wash Jean Jacket; Talbots; Fan Fringe Necklace, Ily Couture; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

You know how you sometimes feel uninspired by your clothing choices? This was one of those days. I've had this sweater set for forever, so I thought I'd wear it today, but...bleh. No love here for me.
Seed Pearl Sweater Set in Burgundy, Dress Barn; Platinum Denim Jeans in Mushroom, Chicos; Jewelry, Cookie Lee.

Monday, January 13, 2014

This was a get dressed quick outfit for yet another Monday morning. This is a pretty intense time, as today is the last day of the term. I went with my new stripe tee, a burgundy red cardigan and a frayed tweed skirt. Easy-Peasy dressing for a hectic day.
Frayed Tweed Skirt in Camel/Coral; J. Crew Factory; Hue Tights in Brick Red, Macy's; Stripe tee in Riding Red/Persimmon, Talbots; Baby Cable Cardigan in Grenadine; Jewelry, Talbots via eBay.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Today I'm trying yet another look with this new stripe shirt I got for free from Talbots. The thin stripe of persimmon lends this whole shirt a bit of a coral vibe, even though the red is really pretty red. I thought I try it with this skirt and jacket today, and I rather liked how it turned out. Unfortunately, the jacket was a nightmare with this skirt, because the jacket has little hooks and eyes, and they kept catching on the lace in the skirt. Wear and learn!
Daisy Lace Pencil Skirt in Peach Madeline, Talbots; Stripe Tee in Riding Red/Persimmon, Talbots; Boucle Pearl Jacket; Chicos; Jewelry, Macy's and Talbots; Hue Tights in Natural, Macy's

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Today I pulled out this colorblock top from last year. Even though it is a linen blend, it always feels rather cozy, especially when I add a tank underneath for extra coverage under that darn boatneck. This made a good, comfortable Saturday outfit for a day spent hanging with my kids at home and my married kids.
Boyfriend Cords in Dark Berry, Eddie Bauer; Secret Silk Tank in Daiquiri, Chicos; Colorblock Boatneck Top, J. Crew; Jewelry, USF and Designed by Denée.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Yes, I do have a cardigan and a
skirt in the same pattern. I must admit that I get a lot more wear out of the skirt, but after wearing it on Sunday, I decided to go with the cardigan today. I added some fun jewelry in some jazzy colors to spice this up, and overall, it was a pretty good look for me. Unfortunately, it's not incredibly warm with just a tank under this thin cotton sweater. Normally this wouldn't be a problem at school, but today the heat wasn't working correctly and was just blowing (actually I might have to say BLASTING) cold air into my classroom. Ah, well, if it's not one thing, it's another. I am in serious love with these bee earrings that I picked up during the Talbots Red Hanger Sale. They came with blue crystal and gold flower earrings that don't make my heart skip, but these I love, and for only $14 for all three, I will keep.
Platinum Denim Jeans in Dark Sand; Chicos; Tank in Pink; Talbots; Brushstroke Rose Cardigan; Talbots; Jewelry, Talbots and J. Crew Factory.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The indoor temperature is a subject of much complaint here at the hacienda. Let me just say that I wore the outfit to the right to school today, while here at the house I've added a fleece moto jacket and a scarf, just to be cozy. See, I'm perfectly warm with no need to turn up the thermostat...
Anyway, today was snowy and icy and foggy and felt like a good day for comfortable boyfriend cords and a sweater. This sweater has a beautiful silk flower embellishment on it, so I didn't add any jewelry other than earrings.
On a sad note, my aide just told me that she was interviewing for a new job. I've really enjoyed having her, and if she leaves, I'm going to be very sad. Can I be evil and hope that she doesn't get it? Sigh...
Boyfriend Cords in Driftwood, Eddie Bauer; Travelers Tank in Burgundy, Coldwater Creek; Woven Flower Cardigan in Cassis; Talbots; Fleece Moto Jacket in Gray, Eddie Bauer; Scarf, Talbots; Jewelry, USF.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Today I was copying this look from an old Talbots catalog. I picked this leopard skirt up very cheap on eBay during the summer, and today was the first time I wore it. During school I just stuck to the Aubrey cashmere sweater, but I added my own black leather jacket for the trip to and from school. I got a lot of compliments on this look -- even though this skirt was released four years ago, it's still a head turner. I'm glad that I finally found it in petite!
Leopard-Print Pencil Skirt, Talbots; Aubrey Cashmere Sweater in Black, Talbots; Jewelry, Cookie Lee; Hue Tights in Black, Macy's; Leather Jacket, Macy's.